The San Francisco Giants aren't going to play using the designated hitter if they don't have to.
Bruce Bochy confirmed Wednesday after the Giants' 7-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics that pitcher Madison Bumgarner will hit Thursday instead of the team using the DH in the interleague contest.
It will be the first time a manager has intentionally started a game without the DH since 1976.
And with the way Bumgarner was tearing the cover off the ball in batting practice Wednesday, Bochy's decision to give him plate appearances seems like an intelligent one.
The 26-year-old Bumgarner is a lifetime .182/.226/.305 hitter with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs to his credit.